Stingy Jack

October 16, 2017

Halloween, a great time for scary stories, scary movies - anything scary or creepy.

Some believe that on Halloween the souls of the dead return to mingle with the living. So wear costumes to disguise yourselves from evil among these spirits and set carved lanterns on your window sills and entry ways to ward off evil.

The tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns originated centuries ago. It was young Irish children who first carved out the centers of Rutabagas, turnips and potatoes then placed pieces of coal inside to protect their homes from spirits. In the mid eighteen hundreds, Irish immigrants brought the tradition of carving jack o’lanterns to America. They soon discovered that the pumpkin made a great jack o’lantern.

Scary stories have always been popular and one scary tale told to Irish children inspired them to carve lanterns and use them to ward off evil. So sit back and let me tell you a scary story.

“The Legend of Stingy Jack”

Stingy Jack was a no good trickster - always playing mean and nasty jokes on people. One day at the local (MODERN CRAFT TASTING ROOM) {well maybe those didn't exist back then but what fun would it be without MC} Jack asked the Devil to join him for a Mulled Cabin Cider Toddy. When they finished their drinks he said to the devil, “Hey why don’t you turn yourself into a coin to pay for the drinks.”

The barkeep turned around and Jack said “Hurry while the bartender isn’t looking.” Once the devil turned himself into a coin. Stingy Jack then placed the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Eventually, Jack freed the Devil under the condition that he would not bother him for one year and that if he should die the Devil would not claim his soul.

The next year Stingy Jack once again tricked the Devil. Jack saw the Devil on the road and pointed out a fruit tree. He got the Devil to climb the tree which was filled with beautiful ripe fruit. While the Devil was in the tree Jack carved a cross into the bark of the tree so the Devil could not come down. After a lot of negotiation Jack agreed to let the Devil come down out of the tree but not until he promised not to bother him for another ten years. Soon after the Devil made his promise to Jack, Jack died.

God, did not want such an unsavory trickster in Heaven and would not let him in.

The Devil, upset that Jack once again tricked him, kept his word and would not allow Jack into Hell. Instead, he sent him into the dark night with only a burning ember to light his way. Jack, put the burning ember into a turnip. He roams earth ever since, luring people to their death in hopes of meeting the Devil again.

So be careful out there my wine tasting friends. You never know where Jack may be lurking.